Foldable signaling device



1956 R. R. GUNDERSON FOLDABLE SIGNALING DEVICE 2 Sheeis-Sheet 1 Filed July 9, 1952 FIG. I

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AT TORN YSI 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 F l G 4 Filed July 9, 1952 F l G. 6

IIIIIIII'III INVENTORI RALPH R. GUNDERSON ATTORNEYS;

United States Patent FOLDABLE SIGNALING DEVICE Ralph R. Gunderson, Chicago, Ill. Application July 9, 1952, Serial No. 297,855

2 Claims. (Cl. 248-33) This invention relates to signal flares commonly carried by truck drivers or motorists for use in emergencies to warn approaching traffic of a temporary obstruction on the highway, and more particularly, to a frame which serves as a support for the signal when it is in use and as a housing for the signal when it is folded into inoperative position.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a simple and improved support for a signaling device which can be opened quickly, when needed, and will serve as a sturdy support for the signaling unit when it is placed on the highway.

Another object of the invention is to secure the signaling device to the frame by means of a pair of parallel links which are connected to a crossbar which may be swung into a centrally disposed pair of slots or turned back about 180 into a recessed position in the rear of the frame.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rectangular frame which will protect the reflecting lenses of the flare when folded into inoperative position, and will enable a number of the units to be stacked in superposed relation without danger of scratching or damaging the reflectors.

The invention is illustrated in a preferred embodiment in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a signal flare in retracted position;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of a signal flare shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of a signal flare in upright position;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary end elevational view, taken as indicated at line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view, taken as indicated at line 66 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a plan view showing the position of the links when the signal flare is in upright position; and

Fig. 8 is a side elevational view of a portion of the signal flare as it is being moved from upright to closed position.

In the embodiment illustrated, a metal supporting frame 9 is formed by bending a strip of metal in rectangular form with the ends overlapping and secured together by means of rivets 10. Preferably rubber keepers 11 are provided on the ends of the frame to provide resistance to being blown by gusts of wind, particularly when the device is placed on a slippery surface such as ice. The frame is provided at its central portion with a pair of upwardly open slots 12 to receive the ends of a crossbar 13 of a signal when it is in open operative position. The frame also has a pair of slots 14 near its rear end portion to receive the crossbar when the signal is in closed, inoperative position.

A pair of parallel links 15 are pivotally secured to the inside of the frame 9 by means of rivets 16. The opposite ends of the links are pivotally secured at 17 to downwardly or forwardly extending tabs 18 struck from the crossbar 13. Preferably, the links 15 have offset portions to provide clearance for the pivots 17 when they are snapped into the supporting frame in closed position, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2.

The crossbar 13 also has integral arms 20 at each end which fit edgewise into the slots 12 when the signal is in erect operable position, as indicated in Figs. 3 and 4. When the crossbar is swung into the closed position shown in Fig. 2, the broad face of the arms fit into the slots 14 in the frame and are flush with the top edge of the frame. The ends of the arms 20 are flush with the outer faces of the frame when resting in either the slots 12 or 14.

Preferably, a close fit is provided between the arms 20 and the slots 12, and the pivots 16 and 17 are positioned so that in moving the crossbar into open position it snaps into the slots, due to the links swinging slightly over center after the arms enter the slots, as indicated in Fig. 6. This affords a rigid support for the crossbar against movement and a small amount of pressure is required to pull the crossbar upwardly out of the slots when the device is to be returned to closed position.

The signaling device itself is of conventional construction and is shown with two pairs of plastic reflecting lenses 21 in which the lenses of each pair are arranged back to back, and the sets are held in spaced relation by a curled metal frame 22 whose end portions are secured by a bolt 23 to a short channel member 24 which is secured to the crossbar 13 by means of rivets 24. The frame is drawn together between the pairs of lenses by a bolt 25 which also secures a U-shaped sheet metal bracket 26, which has perforations to receive a metal flagstaif 27.

In the carrying or storage position, shown in Figs. 1 and 2, it will be noted that the arms 20 of the crossbar rest in the slots 14 and also bear against the top face of the links 15. This provides a cantilever support for the signal member, with the lenses housed within the frame. If additional devices are stacked in superposed relation, the lenses will not be damaged by rubbing together. When it is desired to use the device, the crossbar is merely pressed upwardly and the links are swung slightly over so that the crossbar will snap into the erect position shown in Fig. 3.

As highway trucks usually carry three of the signals, they are usually kept together in a close-fitting box. However, with the present device, a cover (not shown) may be provided to form a closure for the bottom of the frame 9. Three of the signals may be clipped together in an arrangement to form a complete closure for the reflecting lenses and no extra box is required.

The foregoing detailed description is given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, for some modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. A foldable signal, comprising: a unitary metal supporting frame adapted to hold a signaling device in upright open or retracted closed position, said frame having notches disposed in its central portion and near the end of the frame; a signaling device provided at one end with a crossbar positioned in said centrally disposed notches with the signaling device in open position, the crossbar when said device is in retracted closed position being positioned in said notches near the rear of the frame to support the signaling device within the boundaries of the frame; and a pair of parallel links pivotally connected to said crossbar and to said frame so that the crossbar may be swung up out of the notches near the 2,757,891 3 4 center of the frame and down to a retracted position in References Cited in the file of this patent the notches near the rear of the frame. UN D A 2. A foldable signal as specified in claim 1, in which ITE ST TES PATENTS the crossbar has rigid transversely extending tabs to which l476474 Stahfest 1923 the links are ivot-ally secured and integral arms engag- 5 2136625 1938 2,536,177 Harklns Jan. 2, 1951 ing said notches near the center of the frame, the ends of said arms being flush with the outer face of the frame. 

